Coupling means for a stack of modules

ABSTRACT

A PRESTRESSED STRAP ADAPTED TO EXTEND COEXTENSIVELY OF A MULTIPLICITY OF MODULES AND WITH AN EMBRACING END CONFIGURATION HAVING DEPRESSIBLY RELEASABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH AN ANCHOR AT THE ENDMOST MODULE, ONE OR MORE SUCH STRAPS AND END CONFIGURATION BEING EMBRACEABLY EXTENDED ALONG A STACK OF MODULAR BODIES AND EACH ENGAGEABLE WITH AN ANCHOR TO JOIN THEM INTO A COMPOSITE AND STABLE MOUNTING CONDITION. ACCOMMODATION OF VARIED LENGTH ASSEMBLIES IS PROVIDED FOR IN SEVERAL FORMS OF STRAP EXTENSIBILITY, COMBING BOTH MODULAR EXTENSION AND INFINITELY VARIABLE TENSIONING. THE STRAPS ARE OF SPECIFIED LENGTH SO AS TO EMBRACE A PREDETERMINED MODULAR STACK LENGTH, OR THE STRAPS ARE ADJUSTABLY SEPARABLE INTO TENSIONABLE SECTIONS, AND/OR THE STRAPS ARE MODULARLY HOOKED ONTO SECTIONS REDUCED TO REQUIRED LENGTH BY REMOVAL OF EXPENDABLE SURPLUS LENGTH AS CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE. THE PRESTRESSING PROVIDES THE BIAS FOR SECUREMENT AND ENSURES TIGHT FITTING EMBRACEMENT, THEREBY PRECLUDING SEPARATION OF THE STRAP AND /OR STRAPS FROM THE MODULAR BODIES EMBRACES THEREIN.

Oct. 5, 1971 J. T. M MILLAN, JR

COUPLING MEANS FOR A STACK OF MODULES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10,1969 Oct. 5, 1971 J, T. M MILLAN, JR

COUPLING MEANS FOR A STACK OF MODULES 3 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 10,1969 f 1,? S S 26 G 3 A f 2 7 4 5, 1971 J. T. MCMILLAN, JR 3,609,821

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United States Patent 3,609,821 COUPLING MEANS FOR A STACK OF MODULESJohn T. McMillan, Jr., 9972 Petunia Ave., Fountain Valley, Calif. 92708Filed Dec. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 883,956 Int. Cl. 365d 63/00 US. C]. 24-16R 40 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A prestressed strap adapted toextend coextensively of a multiplicity of modules and with an embracingend configuration having depressibly releasable engagement with ananchor at the endmost module, one or more such straps and endconfigurations being embraceably extended along a stack of modularbodies and each engageable with an anchor to join them into a compositeand stable mounting condition. Accommodation of varied length assembliesis provided for in several forms of strap extensibility, combining bothmodular extension and infinitely variable tensioning. The straps are ofspecified length so as to embrace a predetermined modular stack length;or the straps are adjustably separable into tensionable sections; and/orthe straps are modularly hooked onto sections reduced to required lengthby removal of expendable surplus length as circumstances require. Theprestressing provides the bias for securement and ensures tight fittingembracement, thereby precluding separation of the strap and/or strapsfrom the modular bodies embraced therein.

Control and instrument panel installations require the multiple assemblyof modular components such as switches, terminal blocks, light indicatorunits and the like; and it is these types of modular units with whichthe present invention is concerned. It is to be understood however, thatthe place of mounting upon a chassis or in a panel is incidental, theprimary object being to secure otherwise loose modules into a mountingcondition for subsequent installation as may be required. Thus, thepurpose of the module is also incidental, and it is the coupling meanshereinafter disclosed which is the subject of this invention, namely aprestressed strap with a depressible end configuration releasablyengaged with an anchor at the endmost module. Heretofore, tie-rods andstraps have been employed, the former being applied under tension withend hooks or fasteners, and the latter being wrapped onto or otherwiseapplied over modules to be embraced and often biased inwardly and spreadapart for inward pressured engagement. The present invention relates tothe strap-type of coupling that embraces parts or modules so as to bindthem together, but differs from prior art concepts in a prestressedarrangement that not only enhances a tight fit of the strap onto themodules, but which is also compatible with and provides the outward biasestablishing locked engagement of the strap end configuration with thecomplementary anchor provided therefor at the endmost module. Thecombination of elements and features hereinafter described inherentlywork toward the overall function of a tight and normally inseparableinterengagement of the stacked modules but which can be readilydisassembled when and if required.

An object of this invention is to provide coupling means for securementof stacked modular bodies in stable mounting condition wherein they arenormally inseparable but readily disassembled upon deliberate depressionof a unique strap end configuration thereby releasing the same from ananchor.

Another object of this invention is to provide coupling means of thecharacter referred to above and wherein a 3,609,82 Patented Oct. 5.,1971 plurality of such coupling means is cooperatively employed toinseparably join a multiplicity of stacked modules.

It is another object of this invention to provide apposed coupling meansof the character referred to above and which are adjustably tensioned toaccommodate varied lengths of modular stacks.

It is still another object of this invention to provide separable strapsthat are stepped to adjustably receive sections that are infinitelytensioned to accommodate varied lengths of module stacks. And with thepresent invention provision is made for expending surplus strap lengthby removing marked portions thereof as circumstances require, saidportions being removed from either the strap per se or from sectionalextensions thereof.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of the typicalpreferred forms and applications thereof, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 through 5 are perspective views illustrating the five preferredforms of the present invention respectively. FIG. 6 is a perspectiveview of the prestressed strap and its end configurations as it is usedin the form of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the prestressedstrap and its end configurations as it is used in the form of FIG. 2.FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the prestressed straps and their endconfigurations as they are used in the form of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is aperspective view of one of the strap sections and its end configurationsas it is used in the form of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a perspective view ofthe anchor strap as it is used in the form of FIG. 5. FIGS. 11 through15 are views taken substantially as indicated by their respectivesection lines shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 inclusive. And FIG. 16 is anenlarged detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 1616 on FIG.14.

The coupling means of the present invention can take varied forms asclearly illustrated throughout the drawings, and relates to thepreparation of otherwise loose modular bodies for their stableconditioning as a composite stack. The number of bodies in a stack isinfinitely variable within reasonable limits and preferably in wholenumbers thereof, and ordinarily bodies of common size and/ or evenmultiples in length are employed, although this coupling means isadaptable to any combination of modular lengths. The assembled conditionof both chassis type and panel type assemblies is effected with thevarious coupling means hereinafter described, and it is the tight andnormally inseparable conditioning that is the primary objective.However, disassembly and/0r replacement of modules is equally ofimportance, this additional objective being accomplished by means ofdepressing the end configuration of the strap or straps and whichconsequently release the entire assembly, and all of which is reliablyeffective for innumerable repeated operations of assembly anddisassembly.

A typical module M is shown throughout the drawings and which involves,generally, a housing comprised principally of side walls 10 and 11 andwherein the one wall is nestably or otherwise engageable with the otherfor continued alignment of next adjacent modules M, however many theremay be in stacked relation. The walls 10 and 11 can be of male andfemale configuration respectively, and to this end there are alignmentpins 12 and 13 which register one module with the next in the stackedformation. This keyed engagement between the modules per se is preferredbut not necessary to the invention, inasmuch as the coupling meansprovides its own alignment functions and which is suflicient whenstacking many such modules. Further, the module has top and bottom andrear Walls 14, and 16, the features of which depend upon the type ofmodule involved; and as shown the module has a front face 17 with a topand bottom bezel 18 and panel engaging shoulders 19. The shoulders 19are in a common plane while the bezels 18 are parallel and extendlongitudinally in alignment with the axis of the module and stackingthereof. In the instance illustrated, the endmost modules M are opposedby end plates P which are identical and which complete the framing ofthe exposed front face 17 with a bezel 20 and a panel engaging shoulder21. The shoulder 21 is in the common plane of the shoulders 19, and thebezel 20 continues transversely between the two parallel bezels 18. Inpractice, the end plates P engage flat upon the endmost modules in eachinstance, and the said plates incidently close the otherwise open endsof the modules if so required. However, it is to be understood that somemodules M are themselves closed and thereby establish end walls orplates P and upon which or at an anchor A is established as laterdescribed.

Referring to FIG. 1 and the first form of the invention a plurality andnamely a pair or two coupling means are employed to stabilize a stack ofmodules in usable or mounting condition. It is the top and bottom walls14 and 15 that are embraced within the pair of prestressed straps S, andit is the depressibly releasable end configurations E that are engagedwith the endmost modules M or end plates P, whichever the case may be.That is, it is either the endmost module M or end plate P which isprovided with the anchor A that releasably secures a strap endconfiguration. In its broadest sense, the present invention resides inthe strap S and it is the depressible releasable end configuration E asit is cooperatively related to the anchor A, utility being found in asingle ended strap S secured by whatever means at one end and having butone depressibly releasable end configuration E disengageable secured toan anchor A. Therefore a description of one end portion of the strap Sand its engagement with an anchor A will sufiice for all ends of saidstraps, whether they are of integrally joined end portions, or separatedend portions, or of individual end portions.

The endmost module M and/or the end plate P overlying the same isprovided with the anchor A, and the top wall 14 or bottom Wall 15,whichever the case may be, is provided with an alignment channel 25. Thechannel 25 receives and accommodates the longitudinally extended body26- of the strap S, while the anchor A disengageably captures the endconfiguration E. In the preferred form, the channel 25 is alongitudinally disposed depression corresponding in cross section to thestrap body 26, and freely receives said strap body with keyed and/ orguided engagement. Thus, the strap S lies flat within the confines ofthe channel 25, the latter being open so that the strap S can beinserted into or lifted therefrom. As shown, the modules M areidentically formed, with respect to location of said channel, so thatthe strap S extends into aligned keyed engagement with next adjacentmodules M.

The anchor A is displaced inwardly from the plane of the wall that isembraced by the strap body 26 and is spaced outwardly from the endmostside or end plate P, leaving an opening 27 through which the endconfiguration E is projected for its disengageable securernent. Theanchor A comprises a bar 30 displaced inwardly and spaced outwardly asdescribed, and said bar is disposed parallel with the plane in which thestrap body 26 engages the sides of the modules. In the preferred form,bar 30 presents a sharp corner 31 defined by converging inner faces; oneface 32 opposed to the endmost module M or end plate P and the otherface 33 faced oppositely and away from the plane in which the strap body26 engages the sides of the modules. In practice, the bar 30 extendstransversely between supporting posts 34 intermediate which the width ofthe strap end is free to pass. It is the bar and p ifi lly the corner 31defined by faces 32 4 and 33 (rounded or squared), that disengageablyreceives the depressibly releasable end configuration E of the strap S.

The strap S and its depressibly releasable end configuration E ispreferably embodied in a single piece of resilient material, such as forexample a piece of spring steel or the like. It is to be understood thatmaterials such as plastic can be employed in fabricating the strap S,quarter hard stainless steels being most satisfactory. As shown, thestrap S comprises an elongated body 26 bowed convexly against the wall14 or 15 and/or into channel 25, and the end configuration E comprisesan inwardly and outwardly extending leg 35 with an outwardly turned foot36 at its terminal end. The body 26 is yieldingly dram into fiatenagement with the wall 14 or 15 and/or with the bottom of the channel25, by directing the leg 35 through the opening 27. In accordance withthe invention, the leg 35 is initially biased toward the bar 30 and soas to yieldingly press against the corner face 32, the amount ofpressure engagement being controlled by the angular displacement of saidleg 35 from the nominal plane of, or tangent at the end of the body 26.In practice, the leg is displaced at an obtuse inside angle, so as toafford substantial pressured engagement against the bar 30.

The outwardly turned foot 36 presents a shoulder 37 that opposes cornerface 33 of the bar 30, said foot being of limited size so as to readilypass through the opening 27 to thereafter be projected outwardly andbeneath the bar 30 so as to engage the same. In the preferred form, thefoot shoulder 37 engages flatly with the corner face 33 and isyieldingly urged into pressured engagement therewith by the resilientlydeflected bowed body 26. By proportioning the parts as shown, the strapS and its end configuration E springs into releasable engagement withthe bar 30, and can be released therefrom only through deliberationwherein the leg 35 is pressed inwardly so as to withdraw the foot 36 andits shoulder 37 from beneath the bar 30 that normally captures said endconfiguration.

With the strap S as hereinabove described and referring again to FIG. 1,both the top 14 and bottom 15 of the stack of modules M are embraced bydouble ended straps S, and wherein the said traps S are prefabricated toa specified length for the embracement of a predetermined number ofmodules M and/or stack length. Thus, there is a pair of anchors A spacedinwardly from the top 14 and bottom 15 at each of the opposite ends ofthe stack. And with the pressing of the two straps S into position asshown, with the legs 35 entered through the opening 27, and with thefeet 36 engaged beneath the bars 30, the assembly is made and secured;the straps being held to the modules and the legs tensioned against theanchor bars, thereby holding the parts tight and preventing anymovements therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and the second form of the invention the strapS2 remains the same as the strap S hereinabove described with theexception that the two end portions are separated into relativelyadjustable bodies 26', the depressibly releasable end configuration Eand anchor A remaining the same. In this concept the total length of thetwo complementary strap bodies 26' is less than the total length of thestack of modules M, and the opposed inner ends 40 of the straps areprovided with outwardly turned ears 21 that are opened to receive ascrew 42 or the like. Thus, the straps S2 can be separated andthereafter drawn together by threaded members, such as by tie-rods, thateffect the desired stabilized assembly removing all clearance and playfrom between the modules M.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and the third form of the invention the strap S3remains the same as the strap S hereinabove described with the exceptionthat the two end portions are separated into incrementally adjustablebodies 45 and 46, the depressibly releasable end configuration E andanchor A remaining the same. In this concept the incremental adjustmentsare predetermined according to the incremental thicknesses of themodules M to be embraced, and accordingly the strap bodies 45 and 46have selectively engaged positions of extensibility, each position beingdetermined to accommodate a specified number of modules M. A feature ofthis concept is the established configuration of the one strap body 45which is characteristically of hooked configuration, and the expandableconfiguration of the other strap body 46 which is characteristically ofinitial surplus length and marked for incremental reduced lengths ascircumstances require. Strap body 45 has an upwardly joggled inner endportion 47 adapted to overlie the end portion of the complementary strapbody 46, there being a depending hook 48 or the like to engage theincrementally spaced Openings 49 through the underlying strap body 46.The strap bodies are preferably of sheet metal and the book 48 is in theform of a tongue that has a flat section underlying the strap body 46,thereby to have locking engagement. In carrying out this concept, thesurplus of the strap body 46 is severed immediately beyond the outermostusable opening 49 and the loose end is discarded. Otherwise, thehookedly assembled strap bodies 45 and 46 are applied to embrace themodules M as hereinabove described in connection with the first form ofthe inventlon.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and the fourth form of the invention, the strapS4 remains the same as the strap S hereinabove described with theexception that the two end portions are separated by an intermediatesection 50 that is incrementally adjustable in length, the depressiblyreleasable end configuration E and anchor A remaining the same. In thisconcept the incremental adjustments are predetermined according to thesum of the modules M to be embraced, and accordingly the strap bodies 45are both of hooked configuration while the intermediate section 50 is ofexpandable configuration and characteristically of initial surpluslength and marked for incremental reduction as circumstances require. Asshown, the strap bodies 45 are alike and as hereinabove described inconnection with the third form of the invention. However, theintermediate section 50 is provided with incrementally spaced openings51 that receive the hooks 48, the surplus of section 50 being severedimmediately beyond the endmost usable opening 51 and discarded as isindicated. Thus, the intermediate section 50 is double ended and adaptedto be hookedly engaged by oppositely extending straps 45. And inpractice the section 50 is separated into adjustable bodies 56, thetotal length of which (together with the connected strap bodies 45) isless than the total length of the stack of modules M. The opposed innerends of the bodies 56 are provided with outwardly disposed ears 57 thatare opened to receive a screw 42 the same as above described inconnection with the second form of the invention, the straps S4 beingdrawn together by a threaded tie-rod 42 and thereby accommodating thenumber of modules M as may be required.

The separable bodies 56 of the intermediate section 50 above describedpull from the upwardly joggled end portions of the strap bodies 45, andbecause of the under lying hook 48 there is a separation of the bodles56 from the bottom of the channel 25. Therefore, depending guides 55project from the inner ends of the bodies immediate the ears 57 toengage the bottom of the channel 25 and thereby support the section 50between the inner connections with straps 45.

Referring now to FIG. 5 and the fifth form of the invention, the strapS5 remains the same as the strap S hereinabove described with theexception that the two depressibly releasable end configurations E areextended so as to engage anchors A provided in the form. of acomplementary strap S. As in the first form of the invention, the strapsS are of predetermined length so as to accommodate the embracement of aspecified stack length of modules M. It is to be understood however,that the straps S5 and S can be extended according to the teachings offorms 2, 3 and 4 as they are hereinabove described; the strap S5 beingshown so extended according to the form 3 concept. As shown in FIG. 5,the end configuration E of the strap S5 is extended to reach to andimmediately beyond the plane of the opposite side of the module stack,thereby to be received directly in the incrementally spaced openings 60provided therein the same as above described in connection with forms 3and 4 of the invention. The anchor strap S is characteristically ofsurplus length and such that the unnecessary end portions can be severedimmediately beyond the endmost usable openings 60, and the surplussubsequently discarded. Consequently, the terminal end portions of thestrap S establish opposite end anchors A, each of which is spacedoutwardly of the endmost module M, or plate P, and also displaced fromthe plane in which the strap S5 engages the sides of the module M. Itwill be seen, therefore, than an anchor bar 30' is established with asharp corner 31 defined by converging inner faces 32' and 33, all thesame as described hereinabove in connection with the first form of theinvention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the form variations hereinabovedescribed utilize the prestressed strap or straps which establishanchored engagement at the ends of a stack of modules, or the like, toembraceably secure otherwise loose and separable bodies into astabilized condition suitable for their intended cooperative uses. Theprestressing is effected by arcuately forming each of the strap membersand/or intermediate sections thereof, and principally by obtuselydisposing the legs at the end configurations. It will be observed thatthe inside corner or intersection of the strap and extended leg isdimensionally positioned in every instance to closely embrace the sideand end corner of the endmost module M or plate P, whichever the casemay be. The depressibly releasable end configurations of the straps aremanually engageable and disengageable, and when in working position asshown ensure a tight fitting and reliable embracement of modules thatare held under an established pres sure therebetween.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A prestressed coupling strap and anchor combination adapted toreleasably secure a module in a fixed position against a next adjacentmodule; the strap comprising, an elongated body anchored to project fromsaid next adjacent module and in a plane extending over the firstmentioned module, a leg turned inwardly from the body to engageablyoverlie and biased to press away from the first mentioned moduleopposite its engagement with said next adjacent modules, and a foot atthe terminal end of the leg and turned outwardly away from the first mentioned module; the anchor comprising a bar fixed to one of said modulesand displaced inwardly from the plane of said body and spaced outwardlyfrom the first mentioned module, the said leg being depressiblydisengageable from the anchor bar withdrawing the said foot projectedbeneath a face thereof disposed away from said plane of said body.

2. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the elongated body embraceably engages at least one of the saidmodules in said plane extending over the first mentioned module.

3. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the elongated body is accommodated in an alignment channelformed in at least one of the said modules in said plane extending overthe first mentioned module.

4. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the elongated body and leg with its foot are integrally formedof resilient material.

5. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the elongated body is convexly formed of resilient material toembraceably oppose at least one of said modules in said plane extendingover the first mentioned module.

6. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the anchor bar is fixed to project from said next adjacentmodule.

7. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the anchor bar is fixed to project from said next adjacentmodule in a plane of said modules opposite the first mentioned plane.

8. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the anchor bar is fixed to project from the said first mentionedmodule.

9. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1 andwherein the anchor bar is fixed to project from a cover plate overlyingsaid first mentioned module.

10. The coupling strap and anchor combination as set forth in claim 1and wherein the anchor bar has a corner opposing the leg and foot anddefined by converging faces engaging the leg and foot respectively.

11. A double ended prestressed coupling strap and opposite end anchorcombination adapted to releasably secure a stack of next adjacentlyrelated modules in fixed position one against the other; the strapcomprising, an elongated body in a plane extending over the stack ofmodules, a leg turned inwardly from each end of the body immediate toand to engageably overlie and biased to press away from the endmostmodule respectively, and a foot at the terminal end of each leg andturned outwardly away from the endmost module; each of the anchorscomprising a bar fixedly positioned and displaced inwardly from theplane of said body and spaced outwardly from the endmost modulerespectively, each of the said legs being depressibly disengageable fromits complementary anchor bar withdrawing the said foot projected beneatha face thereof disposed away from said plane of said body.

12. The double ended coupling strap and opposite end anchor combinationas set forth in claim 11 and wherein the elongated body embraceablyengages at least one of said modules in said plane extending thereover.

13. The double ended coupling strap and opposite end anchor combinationas set forth in claim 11 and wherein the elongated body is accommodatedin an alignment channel formed in at least one of said modules in saidplane extending thereover.

14. The double ended coupling strap and opposite end anchor combinationas set forth in claim 11 and wherein the elongated body and leg with itsfoot are integrally formed of resilient material.

15. The double ended coupling strap and opposite end anchor combinationas set forth in claim 11 and wherein the elongated body is convexlyformed of resilient material to embraceably oppose at least one of saidmodules in said plane extending thereover.

16. The double ended coupling strap and opposite end anchor combinationas set forth in claim 11 and wherein the anchor bars are fixed toproject from the endmost modules respectively.

17. The double ended coupling strap and opposite end anchor combinationas set forth in claim 11 and wherein the anchor bars are fixed toproject from a cover plate overlying said endmost modules respectively.

18. The double ended coupling strap and opposite end anchor combinationas set forth in claim 11 and wherein each anchor bar has a corneropposing the leg and foot and defined by converging faces engaging theleg and foot respectively.

19. In combination, a pair of double ended prestressed coupling strapsand opposite end anchors adapted to re leasably embrace opposite sidesof and to secure a stack of next adjacently related modules in fixedposition one against the other; each strap comprising, an elongated bodyin a plane extending over one of said opposite sides of the stack ofmodules, a leg turned inwardly from each end of the body immediate toand to engageably overlie and biased to press away from the endmostmodule respectively, and a foot at the terminal end of each leg andturned outwardly away from the endmost module; there being an anchor ateach opposite end of each strap and each of said anchors comprising abar fixed to the endmost module and displaced inwardly from the plane ofsaid body related to the strap to be engaged thereby and spacedoutwardly from the endmost module respectively, each of the said legsbeing depressibly disengageable from its complementary anchor barwithdrawing the said foot projected beneath a face thereof disposed awayfrom said plane of said body.

20. The combination of a pair of double ended coupling straps andopposite end anchors as set forth in claim 19 and wherein each of theelongated bodies embraceably engages at least one of said modules insaid plane extending thereover.

21. The combination of a pair of double ended coupling straps andopposite end anchors as set forth in claim 19 and wherein at least oneof said elongated bodies is accommodated in an alignment channel formedin at least one of said modules in said plane extending thereover.

22. The combination of a pair of double ended coupling straps andopposite end anchors as set forth in claim 19 and wherein each elongatedbody is convexly formed of resilient material to embraceably oppose atleast one of said modules in said plane extending thereover.

23. The combination of a pair of double ended coupling straps andopposite end anchors as set forth in claim 19 and wherein the anchorbars are fixed to project from a cover plate overlying said endmostmodules respectively.

.24. The combination of a pair of double ended coupling straps andopposite end anchors as set forth in claim 19 and wherein each anchorbar has a corner opposing the leg and foot and defined by convergingfaces engaging the leg and foot respectively.

25. In a combination, a pair of sectional prestressed coupling strapsand opposite end anchors adapted to releasably embrace opposite sides ofand to secure a stack of next adjacently related modules in fixedposition one against the other; each strap comprising, apposed andelongated body sections in a plane extending over one of said oppositesides of the stack of modules, adjustment means longitudinallyconnecting the body sections one to the other, a leg turned inwardlyfrom the end of each section of the body immediate to and to engageablyoverlie and biased to press away from the endmost module respectively,and a foot at the terminal end of each leg and turned outwardly awayfrom the endmost module; there being an anchor at the end of each strapbody section and each of said anchors comprising a bar fixed to theendmost module and displaced inwardly from the plane of said bodyrelated to the strap to be engaged thereby and spaced outwardly from theendmost module respectively, each of the said legs being depressiblydisengageable from its complementary anchor bar withdrawing the saidfoot projected beneath a face thereof disposed away from said plane ofsaid body.

26. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25 and wherein theadjustment means includes a tensioning member extended between the strapsections.

27. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25 and wherein theadjustment means includes ears projecting from the apposed ends of thestrap body sections and a tensioning member extended between saidapposed ends and through the said ears and engaged therewith.

28. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth 1n claim 25 and wherein theadjustment means includes a hook projecting from the apposed end portionof one said body section, and said hook being disengageable in anopening through the apposed end portion of the other said body section.

29. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25 and wherein theadjustment means includes a hook projecting from the apposed end portionof one said body section, and said hook being disengageable in one of aseries of modularly spaced openings through the apposed end portion ofthe other said body section.

30. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25 and wherein theadjustment means includes an end portion of one said apposed bodysection joggled out of the plane of the strap body and overlying an endportion of the other said apposed body section, there being a hookprojecting from the first mentioned joggled portion and disengageable inan opening through the second mentioned underlying end portion.

31. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25 and wherein theadjustment means includes an end portion of one said apposed bodysection joggled out of the plane of the strap body and overlying an endportion of the other said apposed body section, there being a hookprojecting from the first mentioned joggled portion and disengageable inone of a series of modularly spaced openings through the secondmentioned underlying end portion.

32. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25, wherein theadjustment means includes a section with a hook projecting therefrom anddis engageable in an opening through a continuing section, and whereinthe continuing section receives a tensioning member extended to theapposed coupling sections to be connected thereto.

33. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25, wherein theadjustment means includes a section with a hook projecting therefrom anddisengageable in one of a series of modularly spaced openings through acontinuing section, and wherein the continuing section includes aprojecting ear that receives a tensioning member extended to the apposedcoupling sections to be connected thereto.

34. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25, wherein theadjustment means includes a section with an end portion joggled out ofthe plane of the strap body and overlying an end portion of a continuingsection and with a hook projecting from the joggled portion anddisengageable in an opening through the end portion of said continuingsection, and wherein the continuing section includes a projecting earthat receives a tensioning member extended to the apposed couplingsections to be connected thereto.

35. The combination of a pair of sectional double ended coupling strapsand opposite end anchors as set forth in claim 25, wherein theadjustment means includes a section with an end portion joggled out ofthe plane of the strap body and overlying an end portion of a continuingsection and with a hook projecting from the joggled portion anddisengageable in one of a series of modularly spaced openings throughthe end portion of said continuing section, and wherein the continuingsection includes a projecting ear that receives a tensioning memberextended to the opposed coupling sections to be connected thereto.

36. In combination, a double ended prestressed coupling strap embracingone side of and an anchor strap embracing the other and opposite side ofand to releasably secure a stack of next adjacently related modules infixed position one against the other; the double ended strap comprising,an elongated body in a plane extending over the stack of modules, a legturned inwardly from each end of the body immediate to and to engageablyoverlie and biased to press away from the endrnost module respectively,and a foot at the terminal end of each leg and turned outwardly awayfrom the endrnost module; the anchor strap comprising a bar at at eachopposite end thereof and each of said bars displaced inwardly from theplane of said body related to the step to be engaged thereby and spacedoutwardly from the endrnost module respectively, each of the said legsbeing depressibly disengageable from its complementary anchor barwithdrawing the said foot projected beneath a face thereof disposed awayfrom said plane of said body.

37. The combination of a double ended coupling strap and anchor strap asset forth in claim 36, and wherein the double ended strap and the anchorstrap are both convexly formed of resilient material to embraceablyoppose the sides of the modules respectively.

38. The combination of a double ended coupling strap and anchor strap asset forth in claim 36, and wherein the feet at the terminal ends of thefirst mentioned strap are disposed at the outside plane of the secondmentioned inchor strap and engaged thereat with the said anchor ars.

39. The combination of a double ended coupling strap and anchor strap asset forth in claim 36 and wherein the feet at the terminal ends of thefirst mentioned strap are disposed at the outside plane of the secondmentioned anchor strap and engaged thereat with the said anchor bars,the anchor bars being defined by spaced openings through the anchorstrap immediate the endrnost modules respectively.

40. The combination of a double ended coupling strap and anchor strap asset forth in claim 36 and wherein the feet at the terminal ends of thefirst mentioned strap are disposed at the outside plane of the secondmentioned anchor strap and engaged thereat with the said anchor bar, theanchor bar being a subtantially flat member disposed in the plane of theside of stacked modules embraced thereby and perforated with modularlyspaced openings, and the anchor bars being defined by said spacedopenings immediate the endrnost modules respectively.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,922,560 8/1933 Sullivan 206-65BX 3,332,551 7/1967 Peterson 206-65 B 3,272,329 9/1966 Mehalov 20665 BDONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 20665 B

